Last month, AFF arranged for the Sierra Leone Cultural Conservation Program to take its participants on a field trip to Bunce Island. Located twenty miles from the CCP headquarters in Freetown, Bunce Island is home to an 18th Century British slave castle, which had a significant impact on the creation of the African Diaspora, the development of the triangular trade, and the formulation of modern-day Sierra Leone. Below, CCP Program Assistant Fouad Kargbo gives a firsthand account of the group’s trip to this historic landmark:

TRIP TO BUNCE ISLAND

The trip to Bunce Island was an educational one. There were six participants in attendance, as well as one staff member. Mrs. Olivette Cole, a member of the Sierra Leone National Museum, guided the CCP family through the trip. Participants and staff gathered at Freetown’s Pelican Sea Port to be transported to the Island by speedboat. As we set off from the shore by the Aberdeen Bridge and headed toward Bunce Island, Mrs. Olivette gave a briefing on the trip, including the various signals found on the sea that guide sailors to their destination. She further showed and described the various villages you pass before reaching Bunce Island. It took us approximately 40-45 minutes to reach the island from the takeoff point at Aberdeen.

Upon arrival at Bunce Island, we were welcomed by the tour guide, who then led us right through the ruins of the Island, stating names and dates of relevant people and events. The historical lesson was accompanied by questions from the CCP participants and staff members in attendance, as they got a better understanding of what really happened during the years of the slave trade. Participants and staff were amazed to finally visit this historical place, about which we’ve heard so much. We have been yearning to visit this site for so long.

The participants were overjoyed to have the opportunity to set foot on this wonderful Island, where they increased their knowledge of the events thattranspired there. Everyone also got the chance to take photos of the expedition, thereby practicing their photography skills learned in previous workshops. At the end of the day the group had lunch and got ready to return to the Aberdeen shores, taking special note of the tide that was forming.